Division of Research

Student Research at FAU

Florida Atlantic University students have the opportunity to do much more than classroom learning. They can help conduct experiments in the lab, collect data from field stations, go on exploratory expeditions or create a real-world business startup. Working closely with world-renowned research faculty, students contribute to advancing science and solving some of the most vexing challenges faced by humanity. From university’s undergraduate researchers program to post-doctoral work, they are contributing to FAU’s culture of discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship. And in the process, they’re bolstering their education, transforming their lives and making an impact on the world.

Learn more about FAU's student research and entrepreneurial programs below:

The Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (OURI) serves as a centralized support office for both faculty and students who are engaged in undergraduate research and inquiry. They offer university-wide programs such as undergraduate research grants, the annual undergraduate research symposium and the undergraduate research journal. OURI also supports departments and all colleges in their undergraduate and inquiry initiatives.

All of FAU's 10 colleges offer students the chance to work with faculty on research from the humanities to biomedical sciences to engineering. The research programs include interdisciplinary initiatives that expose students to more than just their areas of study.

The Division of Research awards of up to $1,500 to FAU doctoral students to help them complete their final year of their dissertation. The money can be used to pay for essential purchases needed to complete their thesis. Eligible students must apply.

The Graduate Research and Inquiry Program (GRIP) is intended to assist and encourage doctoral, masters, and professional students by providing funding for scholarly research projects.

Entrepreneurship

FAU’s leadership and entrepreneurship education programs are preparing this region’s future leaders. And students aren’t waiting to graduate to launch their enterprises. Students have launched a number of successful companies while still in school by tapping into the university growing and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.

An undergraduate research and entrepreneurial competition challenging students to submit and develop innovative ideas targeting societal problems. Ideas could include start-ups, technology, processes, designs, instruments, policies, or community based research.

The goal of FAU Tech Runway is to establish a formal program for mentoring entrepreneurs and their ventures based on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Venture Mentoring Service (VMS). The focus of the initiative is to combine VMS and Stanford’s Lean Launchpad curriculum with University resources and local community expertise to create an ecosystem conducive to the development of successful technology and growth industry start-ups.

The Adams Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE) brings students, faculty and the community together in the spirit of entrepreneurship to fuel innovation needs for new opportunities in our ever-changing global marketplace.

FAU is home to Florida's only state university affiliated research park. The Research Park provides a supportive environment in which companies engage in research and development of new and innovative products, supported by the intellectual capital of FAU's student body and faculty. Established in 1985, the Research Park is now home to 24 high tech, high wage companies located in Deerfield Beach and Boca Raton.

Conducting Ethical Research

The Division of Research is committed to fostering a culture of integrity throughout the university working in collaboration with faculty, staff and students. Student research and scholarly projects may be required to be in compliance with state and federal regulations. FAU provides students the needed guidance and training so that can conduct their research ethically and effectively.

The Division of Research administers the Responsible Conduct of Research workshop series for graduate students each semester. The RCR series is comprised of four modules and covers core research competencies pertinent to graduate student research. The training sessions are required for those students being paid on a National Institutes of Health funded grant. However, all graduate students are invited to participate. The workshops are strongly recommended for all students working on any research studies.

Research involving animals require approval from Florida Atlantic University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). It is necessary that research is in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act and Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Animals.

For faculty and students alike, compliance training is critical for their work. However, it can all be so confusing. So the Research Integrity, unit within the Division of Research, developed a tool called: Advice for Compliance Training (ACT). It provides users with a simple web-based interface that will automatically generate a list of training course(s) that you need to complete through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative, a web-based training program in conducting ethical research.

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